AOPA opposes Lancer MOA in Texas, urges pilots to attend meetings

AOPA is opposing the proposed Lancer Military Operations Area (MOA) in north-central Texas. AOPA is urging area pilots to attend one of public meetings scheduled for November 9 in Lubbock and Post, Texas.

The Lancer MOA would extend from 3,000 to 18,000 feet agl. It would cover a large area underneath the existing Reese 4, Reese 5, and Roby MOAs.

In its comments, AOPA said, "The most troublesome aspect of this proposal is its size—the volume of navigable airspace that it consumes is immense."

The association said the proposed Lancer MOA would compress general aviation traffic into airspace below 3,000 feet and restrict access to Victor Route 563 between Lubbock International Airport and Big Spring Airport, and Victor Route 62 between Lubbock and Abilene. The MOA would inhibit some IFR operations.

"There is already a proliferation of special-use airspace (SUA) in the area of the proposed Lancer MOA," said Melissa K. Bailey, AOPA vice president of air traffic. "The FAA has the responsibility to efficiently manage airspace and balance the needs of all users, both civil and military.

"The burgeoning SUA in Texas already skews the balance and the proposed Lancer MOA serves to further degrade general aviation access in central Texas."

AOPA renewed its call for "real-time" SUA information, including an 800 line and charted contact frequencies so that pilots can determine when a MOA or restricted area is actually in use.

The FAA will conduct informal airspace meetings on the Lancer MOA proposal on: